Dried fruit

Introduction

Dried fruit is fruit that has been dried, either naturally or through use of a machine, such as a food dehydrator. Raisins, prunes and dates are examples of popular dried fruits. Other fruits such as apples, apricots, bananas, cranberries, figs, kiwi, mangoes, nectarines, papaya, peaches, pears, persimmons, pineapples, strawberries and tomatoes may also be dried.

The global increase in health consciousness has the South African dried fruit industry. The website https://driedfruitsa.co.za sets out the health benefits of the individual fruit species as dried fruit.

Advantages of dried fruit production include:

  • A prolonged shelf life, and thus a longer marketing period – which extends fruit availability to all year round.
  • Reduced storage space required, which lowers transportation costs.
  • Low or no refrigeration costs.
  • They are peeled, cut and ready for use by the consumer.
  • The dehydrated value is higher than fresh produce.
  • Good compatibility with other ingredients in dry food mixtures.
  • Prices are more stable than fresh produce prices.

International business environment

  • The global dried fruit market was valued at around USD 10.01 billion in 2025 and was expected to reach USD 10.58 billion in 2026, growing at a CAGR of 5.69% from 2026-2031.
  • Supermarkets and hypermarkets captured 47.38% of the dry fruits market size in 2025. Online retail stores are projected to grow at 7.11% CAGR through to 2031.
  • Asia-Pacific held 38.45% of the dry fruits market share in 2025. The Middle East and Africa is forecast to expand at 7.05% CAGR through to 2031.

Source: www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/dry-fruits-market

SOUTH AFRICA: IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

  • The top export markets for dried apples were the UK (40%), Africa (29%), Europe and Russia (20%), Middle East (6%), USA & Canada (3%), South America (1%), eSwatini (1%), Far East and Asia (<1%) (HORTGRO, 2026).
  • Dried apricots went to Australia (38%), Europe and Russia (20%), Far East and Asia (13%) , USA & Canada (11%), Middle East (7%), South Pacific Isalnds (3%), Africa (3%), eSwatini (3%), UK (2%), Indian Ocean Islands (<1%) (HORTGRO, 2026).
  • Dried prune exports went to Africa (48%), Europe and Russia (18%), Far East and Asia (18%), UK (7%), Middle East (5%) and Indian Ocean Islands (4%) (HORTGRO, 2026)..
Source: www.hortgro.co.za/wp-content/uploads/docs/dlm_uploads/2026/08/Key-Deciduous-Fruit-Statistics-2025.pdf

Depending on the harvest, South Africa is the world’s 5th largest exporter of raisins, with some 90% of its total crop earmarked for key international markets (Raisins SA, 2026).

Namibia is a traditional exporter of raisins to South Africa since it enjoys duty-free access based on its membership in the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

Further reference:

Local business environment

  • Dried fruit is produced mainly in the Western Cape, the Southwestern Districts, Northern Cape, the Little Karoo, the Olifants River area and the Lower and Upper Orange River area. Apricots are mainly produced in the Little Karoo. Prunes are grown almost exclusively in the Tulbagh district in the Western Cape. Most raisins are produced along the Lower Orange River. Currants come from the Vredendal district. Tree fruit, as opposed to vine fruit, is dried mainly in the Western Cape and the Southwestern districts.
  • The top dried tree fruits in 2025 were peaches, pears, apricots and prunes (HORTGRO, 2026).
  • Dried fruit production is labour-intensive.
  • Both the local marketing and exporting of dried fruit are free from government intervention. However, in the case of exports, phytosanitary requirements and quality standards must be adhered to.

Further reference:

  • Find the Raisins South Africa quarterly newsletters at https://raisinsa.co.za.
  • Refer to the articles listed under the “Websites and publications” heading further down this page.

For the newcomer

Find the document “Postharvest food drying technique using a solar tunnel dryer” by Khangelani Mkhathini and Sandile Zulu (Research & Technology 2015/23) on www.kzndard.gov.za. Environmental conditions do not always allow for open sun drying. A solar tunnel dryer can be constructed “from locally available materials at a relatively low capital cost and there are no fuel costs”.

Find the Department of Agriculture booklet Solar drying of fruit and vegetables at www.nda.gov.za. The process of preparing fresh produce, the drying process itself, many recipes and more is looked at.

Role players

Business Listings

The following business listings are provided for informational purposes only. Agribook does not endorse or guarantee any of the listed businesses, their products, or services.

National strategy and government contact

Find the Agricultural Product Standards Act: Regulations: Quality, packing and marking of dried fruit intended for sale in South Africa at www.gov.za.

  • Department of Agriculture Directorate: Food Safety and Quality Assurance www.nda.gov.za
  • National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) www.namc.co.za A statutory levy is payable to Raisins South Africa on dried vine fruit (raisins) produced and imported into South Africa. Find details on the NAMC website.
  • Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform & Rural Development www.agrinc.gov.za
  • The Job Funds www.jobsfund.org.za
  • National Development Agency (NDA) www.nda.org.za

Websites and publications

Visit the websites and publications referred to earlier on the page, specifically under the earlier heading “For the newcomer”.

  • Find the Department of Agriculture booklet/info pak “Solar drying of fruit and vegetables” at www.nda.gov.za.
  • The Department of Agriculture Horticulture Marketing Extension Papers 2 and 3 on the same website include adding value by drying fruit.
  • Find the dried tree fruit chapter in HORTGRO’s latest Key Deciduous Fruit Statistics at www.hortgro.co.za.
  • The annual Abstract of Agricultural Statistics includes a table on dried fruit production and producer prices. Find the document at www.nda.gov.za.
  • Refer to the ARC Agricultural Engineering publications on adding value to fruit e.g. Agro-processing of Deciduous fruit (Apples, apricots, grapes, pears, plums, peaches, figs) and Agro-processing of Subtropical Fruit (Avocado, bananas, figs, guava, kiwifruit, litchi, papaya, passion fruit, pineapple) (see “Agro-processing” page). Call 012 842 4017 or email stoltze [at] arc.agric.za.
  • Find the notes on drying mangoes at www.mango.co.za.
  • Brett, A, Cox, D.R.S., Simmons, R. & Anstee, G. 1996. “Producing Solar Dried Fuit and Vegetables for micro and small-scale Rural Enterprise Development”. Handbook 3: Practical Aspects of Processing. Chatham, UK: Natural Resources Institute.

Some articles:

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